Liquid discharging device



Dec. l5, 1942-` H. wENKEl I y LIQUID DSCHARGING DEVICE Filed peaje, 1959 "z` sheets-sheet .1

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I NV EN `TOR. HENRY WENKER Dec. 175, 17942. H, WEVNKER 'Y n Y2,304,867

LIQUI) DISCHARGING DEVICE l Filled Deo. e, 1959 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HENRY WENKE/Z a. f f

ATTORNEY.

EEES

Dec. 15, 1942. H. WENKER LIQUID DISCHARGING DEVICE Filed Dec. e, 19:59 s sheets-sheet IVNVENTOR. HENR Y f WEA/KEA MWL ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITEo STATES PATENT `olu-lciliz 2,304,867 A .mourn mscnnncmo DEVICE v Henry wenker, Elizabeth, N. J. nppueeti'on, December s, 1939. 4serial Ne. 367,781

. 11 Claims.

My invention relates to discharge devices, more particularly tov shower heads or sprays `capable of selectively dispensing a plurality of mixtures or a single liquid. f Attempts have been made 'to provide showers or sprays capable of dispensing liquid mixtures, for example soapy mixtures. to be used in shower baths and for other purposes. Presentdevices lacl: simplicity of structure and ready means for attachment to the liquid supply to bemixed with the active ingredient or substance and as'arule have no simple means to -cut oiftheflow of the mixture and substitute a flow of the clearliquid. In the usual form of device itis necessary to detach the mixing device orwait until all of the particles of active ingredient have been dissolved and dispensed from themixing chamber before 1. a99- 83) y diversion of the -water completely from the active v material to other passages to provide a copious stream of unmixed liquidsu'ch as water vat any time desired.

It is a further object of invention to Vprovide the. active material in the form.l of solids having a shape designedto promote Ian leilicient,

mixing action. s;

xAnother object of my inventionis to provide a device which insures efllcient use fof the clear liquid such as water by preventing'wasting Aduring the period when the mixture is used. for ex-f ample during .the soaping operation.

fixtures and simply o a flow of clear liquid can bey obtained- Simple means are not' as a rule available for inserting the active ingredient yto be mixed in the mixing chamber.

In` present devices no lsimple means v are provided for dlvertingthe liquid-to be mixed,`

for example water, from the supply'source either f to the mixing chamber containing` the active-ingredient to provide the mixture or to the bypassing means for providing a flow of pure liquid,

and do this'in such a. manner that positive and simple apparatus of the kind described for selectively providing more than'one kindI of mixture seems to be'lacking. l v i/f- It'is, therefore, an object ofamyfinventionto /providey a simple meansy forv selectively dispensing vas a shower or Vspraya liquid such as -water or a mixture of the liquid with some activel material,y

such as soap, bath salts, perfume, hair wash and the like.

It is afurther object of my invention to provide such a device which will provide-av copious ,flow of clear liquid such as water when desired, but which also will dispense only the small concentrated quantities of mixedjsolutions ori mixed liquids desiredwithout the mixture being so diluted as to vbe ineiective,`

A further object of my` invention isto provide a device which is capable of producing selectively two or more diierentA mixtures in addition to a flow of unmixed liquid." 'M1 Another object of myinvention -isY toA provide such a device in which theactive ingredientmay be easily and quickly replenished.l

A further object oi'my invention is to provide a device in which the iull pressure'of'the-liquidv source can be directed into themixingfchamber against the active material to be mixed with the liquid to provide quickly and'eillciently the mixture desired, but which nevertheless permits the A still -fvurther `object of my yinventionfis to make such a device which is 'simple and in/exly pensiveand which is easily installed onavailable Imetec.

1 Brieiiy the preferred embodiment Ato the kfollowing description taken in connection withy theaccompanying drawings in `winch Figure finis' a longitudinal 'section ordine form of-liquid dispensingv device madek according tovmy' invenf tion,'Figure 2 isa transverse section taken along line 2-/'2 of Figure 1, Figurel 3 isla/transverse section,y takenalong line 3 3 oi Figure 1, Figure 4 shows details of construction of an element of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a.' bottom'view of Figy ure 1, Figure 6 isv a partial section showing. details ot construction, Figure 7 is an end view i of the ,device made according to m linvention,

Figure 9-is a transverse section taken along the ,l

line 9--9y of v.Figure 8, Figure 19/ shows` details of construction of an elementot/Figure 8, Figure 11i is a bottom view of a devi/ce shown inFigure 8, Figure 12-is a view in perspective showing"v one form of mechanism for operating my device, Fig'- ure 13 is a section showing details oifconstructir of the elements shown in Figure 12, Figure-14 is a longitudinal section o1' another form of my inventiony and Figures 15 and 16 yshow details.. of construction of elementsused in Figure 14. e

Referring to Figure 1, the liquid dispensing device comprises a tubular longitudinally extending casing or outer member llltapered at one end at il and'provided with an internal threaded o'fmmy invention rcomprises avvdevice `having two orfmore 'portion Ii'of the slot Ilto I1 of lcompressible ber I2 and the endv 'of are closed against l,described later. Y

2 portion for engaging a liquid supply source. The open end of said tubular member I is closed by means of rotatable closure member I2 provided It can be disengaged from Y by `pressing upwardly and rotating the member I0 to support the cup-shaped member on said tubular member.

the-tubular member Y I2 so that the' pinfl registerswith the vertical f permit disengagement. Avr gasketmember material may be used between cup-shaped memtubular member Il to prevent leakage.

Arrinner tubular member I8 ismounted with; l

in and coaxially or the outer tubular member and has at its lower end -theclosure member Il to which' it may e which is formed with the apertures or passagebe threadably engaged, and.

- down through the passageways vSII between the the chamber within the tubular member I8 and is supported von the ring by means ot extensions 28so that passageways 38 are provided in this member`21 communicating with the space between the inner and outer tubular members t III and I8. Thedisc21 `is biased against a support 2'6 by means `of` spring 3I. The passageways 80 f -would be replaced by apertures such as 28.

In the position shown in Figure 1 a liquid supplied through the threaded portionII will pass inner andf outer tubulargmembers, inwardly through the radial grooves 2'I- 'through apertures I8/ for providing a/clear liquid` which is unmixed with any active ingredients.. Asthe cup-shaped member I2 is rotatedgvso thatyaperturessl'lare. closed andapertures I4 and 20 registenthe liquid` will be supplied through the apertures 28 in member 421 topassdownpver and ythroughthe:`

20 artri'dge -82 which may be or, soapzor likemate-V ways extending through the closure member p and communicating with the, mixing 'chamber inside they inner tubular member.'y Radiallyextending grooves 2| are providediin the bottom surface ofthe closure member |91 These radially extending grooves communicatewith the space between the inner tubular member I8 and the vouter tubular memberlll. "In the positionin- 1 the apertures inthe cup' I2 and the radiallyextending. grooves 2l registerl with each other so that there dicated inV Figure shaped member is direct communicationbetween the exterior o f the device and the space betweenV the outer and inner tubular membersgIi rotated through the angle bas shown (in "Figure 5, the apertures I3 the bottom surfacefof the member ISIand the apertures 428 inwthe closure member oi the inner tubular member, and the apertures I4 of the rotatablecup-shaped. member register to provide direct communication to the' chamber withinthe inner Il. The rotatable cup-shaped member is rotated for purposes to be tubulark member between` these ltwopositions 'Ihe closure member -II andcup-shaped member I2 are'bolted' together by-means of the nut and bolt arrangement 22. butnot tightly enough U to prevent relative*rotation. Toprevent rotation of the inner closure memberl I8r and inner tubular member 4I8 when theV cup-shaped member is rotatedfpins 2ll are provided secured to the closure member I8 and engagingthe longitudinal slots'24 inthe inside surface ot tubular member I l, as best shown-in yFigure 6. A screen 25 may be provided in the bottom of the`chamber for preventingparticles of the materialtobe mixed from closing the apertures 2l! ,Mountedin the upper end ot `the casingor'outertubular member Il is a 'supportingring 28, which may be contractable to permit removal-by providing agapy through the ring. VThis ring-supports a discshaped memberl 21 which closes the upperv end o! thef inner tubularv member I8. VThis disc' shapedfmember 21 serves to ,prevent mixtures from the mixing chamberlfrom mixing 'with' clear liquid flowing-.around the inner rtubular an unmixed liquid. Disc-shapedmember 21 is providcdwith apertures 2l communicating with member when my device is adjusted to deliver ,i

ber 48, is surrounded'byf best shownfin Figure 10.` The pins engaged f y'rial .provided with longitudinal openingsfor pas.. sage/s .88,jwhich openings I increase the' mixingk actionyandeillciency mixing action vof thesliquid J to-be,mlxed.f '1he mixturethen passes-throughy the screen;25 and the apertures 2IIl and I4 to`- theexterior.` Itis noted that ,the number of apertures is limited'to' provide a small concen" trated flow of the mixture. i v A modification ofiithe cartridge isshown in Figuren where the cartridge is ,provided with` I rectangular shaped longitudinalfopenings V88 inprovided with three .groupsof apertures 48, 44 and 4,8 positioned along v in diirerent4 radial lines separated by angles c andfd as vshown inFlgure 11 showingv the bottom viewer the cup-shaped closure member '42 vIn-this modification two` chambers reprovided vwithin tneeasmgforactive materials. The first` inner tubular.xmas

ber \41- so as to .provid aeircular chamber 1 screw threaded arrangementasShOWll. the closure member 48 beingyprovided with apertures 4l Vand Il and radially'y extending :grooves II` as.I

in grooves inthe outer tubular member prevent rotation of this member and tubularmembers 48 and 4 1. Aperturesiand III communicate respectively withthechamber withinthe tubular member 46 and thechamber between the tubularmembers 4 8 and 41, theradially ex tending grooves Il again communicating` with ythe space between the outer v:tubular member-:48 'Y and tubular member 41.f` The closure members 42 and 48 arenboltedftogether so as to permit relative relation i however by means ,oi the nut and'bolt *arrangement ,sree` ns n and uyb-- ing provided at the bottom orthe chambers'toy prevent particles. of the active ingredientsfrom blocking the Y apertures. @Mountedl on `-the supporting ring it atythegtopof the tubular member l48 `is a disc shapednplatefmember, 51, best shown inFigure 9, and provided withap'ertures I! and Il communicating with lthe chambers ,within 'tubular member.` and between tubular member 42 yrotatable with respect -t o .the vcasing and supported in a manner "similarto that shown in vFigure 1.`r This closureimember is inthis case ,i

second y tubular mem- -aroundthe inner tubularfmember. Thismember 41 is securedto the closure member 48vbywa f apertures 13 to provide a clear liquid. If tubular member 15 and disc 19 are rotated through angle e as shown in Figure 16, apertures 8| and 81 will register to provide communication with the chamber within the tubular member 15, the apertures 80 and 88 being closed in this position. A passage is then provided through the mixing chamber containing active ingredients to the exterior of the devicethrough apertures 14.

It is possible to use a colored active ingredient so that the mixture will be colored, so that the lack of color will show when the active ingredient through an anglerc, see Figure 11, apertures 44 are made to register with apertures 50 so that` communication is provided with the chamber between tubular members 46 and 41. Liquid can then flow through the apertures 60 in disc 51,

vthrough the chamber between tubular members 46 and 41, apertures 50 and apertures 44 to the;

exterior of the device, thus providing a mixture with the active ingredients in the chamber between tubular members 46 and 41. Rotating closure member 42 through a further angle d, apertures 49 and 43 are registered to provide a communication to the chamberrwithin the tubular member 46 so thatv liquid is directed through this chamber to provide a mixture supply tothe exterior of the dispensing device. In this arrangement, therefore,V it is possible to selectively Aobtain one of two different mixtures or a copious flow of clear liquid.

In Figure 12 is shown one means of operating the device made according to my invention. The dispensing device I0 is secured by means of the screw portion Il to the source of liquid supply 9, the rotatable closure member l2 is provided with a groove or depression i2 which receives the end of the spring arm 62 secured to the lever mechanism 63 pivoted at 64, as best shown in Figure 13, so that it can `be operated A stur further modmcation of my invention is is exhausted.

With this .arrangement inV connection with showers water is prevented from being wasted, since water is used only when it is desired for rinsing purposes. or for removing the soapy solution or mixture, and not in large quantities during the soaping operation'. l p y The active ingredients may be supplied as a cartridge so shaped thatit will be closely iitted into the mixing chamber. s However, active ingredients in the form of i'lakes, balls or chips of any size or shape'may also be used. In connection with the soap, it is preferable to use one containing a certain amount of water' and certain soluble inorganic salts, such as tetra-sodiumpyrophosphate or borax to insure rapid solubility.

of the soap and to increase the cleaning power of the resulting solution. The soap may be colored so as to produce a slightly colored solution, thereby indicating when the cake of soap is used up and the chamber needs reiilling.

While I have indicated the preferred embodiments ofA my invention of which I am now aware and have also indicated only one specic applicaby chains 63 to rotate the closure member I2.

`Stops 66 may be provided for limiting the movey shown in Figure 14.- In the arrangement shown,

the outer tubular member 10 is provided with screw portion 1l and closure member 12, rotatably mountedin a manner similar to the other two modiiicatlons. It is provided with'apertures 13 and 14 and supports the inner tubular member 15 which rotates` with the closure member 12, it being -screwed to this member as shown. A screw16 holds screen 11 in place to prevent particles of active ingredients in the chamber 15 from clogging aperture 14. A supporting ring 18 supports a disc member 19 provided with vapertures 80 and 8l as best shown in Figure 16, the

tion for which my invention may be employed, it will be apparent that my invention is by no means limited to the exact forms illustrated or the use indicated, but that many variations may be made in the particular structure used and the purpose for which it is employed without departing from the scope of my invention asset forth in the appendedclaims.

` What I claim as new is:

1. A liquid discharging device provided with van outer tubular member formed at one end for fj attachment to a liquid supplying source, the other end of said tubular member being openfa closure member for said other end of the tubular member and provided-with a plurality ofy apertures and rotatable with respect to said outer tubular member, an inner tubular member having a chamber for receiving active material to be mixed with the liquid, a closure member for said `inner tubular mem-ber overlying said first mentioned closure v member and provided with a plurality of passagedisc being positivelyengaged to'rotate with tubular member 15 and cup-shaped member 12 by on the tubular member 15. Mounted above the disc-shaped member 19 is the disc-shaped member 8,4 provided with apertures 81 and 88, the slots 86 receiving pins 85 which prevent rotation of this disc when disc 19 is rotated. Spring 89 biases this member against the disc 19. In the receiving within the slots 82 the extensions.

ways some of which communicate with the chamber of the inner tubular member and others with the space between said inner tubular member and said outer tubular member, said closure members having relative rotation and said apertures and passageways in said members being arranged in angularly displaced groups whereby in one position of the rotation of the members a group of passageways 4communicating with the chamber register with the corresponding group of apertures to `provide communication from the chamber to the outside of said outer tubular member to provide a passage from the liquid supplying source through the chamber to the exterior of the casing to provide a flow of the mixture, or whereby in another position the apertures and passageways ofthe other group register to provide a passage for the unmixed liquid between the outer and inner tubular members to provide a copious ilow of the unmixed liquid. Y

2. lAliquid discharging device provided with an outer tubular'member formed at one end forv attachment to a liquid supplyingr source, the other end of said tubular member being open, a closure member for the open end and rotatable with respect 4to said outer tubular member and being provided with a plurality of sets of apertures positione'd'along radial lines, an inner tubular member forreceiving active vmaterial to be mixed with the liquid, a closure member for Vsaid inner tubul lar member lying in contact with said iirst named enclosure mem-ber and provided with apertures which communicate with the interior of the inner tubular member and radially extending grooves communicating with the space between said inner tubular member andsaid outer tubular member,

` tive materials, a member closing the ends of said inner tubular members adjacent the closure member of the outer tubular member and having passageways extending therethrough and communieating with the chambers of said tubular members, and other passageways therein and communicating with the space between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular members,

said apertures and passagewaysvbeing arranged in angularly displaced groups said rotatable closure member for the outer tubular member being the rotatable closure member when rotated to one position having some of its apertures arranged to register with the radially extending grooves communicating with the-space'between the inner and outer members and when rotated to another position having other apertures arranged to register with the 'apertures communicating with the interior of the inner tubularmember.

3.l A liquid discharging device provided with an outer'tubular member formed at one end for attachment to a liquidV supplying source, the other end of said tubular member being open, aclosure member for the open end and provided with a` plurality of apertures and rotatable with respect to said outer tubulan'member. an inner tubular'.

member having la chamber for receiving active material to be mixed with the'liquid', a closure member adjacent said iirst mentioned closure member for said'inner tubular member provided kwith a plurality'of passageways some of which communicate with the interior of theinner tubular member and Aothers with the space between said inner tubular member and said outer tubular member,`r an apertured disc closing thetop ci' `said chamber and having passageways communicating with* the inner tubular member and the space between the outer andV inner tubular membersy a support for said disc and resilient means for urging Vsaid disc against said support to. maintain said disc in position, said closure members having relative rotation, and said apertures and passageways in said closure-members being arranged in angularly displaced groups whereby in" one position of rotation of said members the group of passagewayscommunicating with the chamber registers with the corresponding group oi aper- Y vtures to provide communication from the chamber to the outside of said outer tubular member toy provide a passage fromthe supply means through the inner chamber to the exterior of the outer tubular member `to provide a flow of. the mixture, and in another position the aperf tures andpassagewaysof the other group register for providing a passage for the liquid between the copious iiow of the clear liquid. y

4'. -A yliquid discharging device adapted vto be connected to a liquid supplying source and having A outer andinner tubular members to provide a.V

an outer tubular member and a rotatable closure I member provided with a plurality of apertures positioned along radially extending lines at-different angular positions, a first inner` ltubular member concentric with the outer tubular member providing a chamber and a second inner tubular member concentric with the rst inner tu-bular member providing a second chamber,` 'said apertures communicating with thespace between -k chambers being adapted to receive different 'ac- 75 rotatable through different angles to selectively register the apertures in said rotatable closure member with the passageways in the closure member for the inner tubular members to selectively provide a flow ofl different mixtures or a clear liquid.

5. Aliquid discharging device adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply and having an youter tubular member and a rotatable closure member for one end of said tubular member said closure member being provided with a plurality of apertures positioned along radially extending lines at diierent angular positions, a iirst inner tubular member providing a chamber, and a second inner tubular member surrounding said iirst tubular member for providing a second'ichamber said tubular members being concentric aroundr said first chamber, said chambersbeing adapted to receive active ingredients, a member closing the ends of said inner tubular members adjacent the closure member of the outer tubular member and having passageways extending therethrough communicating with the chambers of said tubular members, and other passageways therein adjacent said rotatable closure member and extending radially for communicating with the space between the outertubuiar member and the inner tubular members, said apertures and passagewaysV being arranged in angularly displaced groups said rotatable closure member for the outer casing being Y rotatable through dierent' angles to selectively register the apertures in ,said rotatable closure member with the passageways in the closure member for .theinner tubular members to selectively provide a plurality of separate mixtures or a clear iiuid, and screens in said chambers for screening the apertures communicating with said chambers fto prevent particles of the active ingredients fro clogging said apertures.

6. A liquid discharging device including an outer tubular member and a rotatable closure member provided with a plurality of apertures, an

' inner tubular member providing a chamber supported on and fixed at one end tovsaid rotatable closure member, some of said apertures communicatng with said chamber and others with the space between the tubular members, a memberA said tubular members when said rotatable closure member is rotated to another position.

7. A liquid discharging device including a tubular casing formed at one end for attachment t0 a liquid supply and having an opening at the other end, a tubular member' inside said casing and provided on its interior with a chamber for receiving active material to be mixed with the liquid, a closure member engaging the open end of said casing and provided with a plurality of apertures, and means adjacent the closure member and engaging the tubular member and provided with a plurality of sets of passageways, one set communicating with the chamber of the inner tubular member and another set communicating with the space between the inner .tubular member and said casing, said apertures and passageways in said closure member and means engaging said tubular member beingy arranged in angularly displaced groups whereby in one position of rotation of the closure member and means the group of passageways communicating with the chamber register with the corresponding group of apertures to provide communication from the chamber to the outside of said tubular casing to provide a passageway from the liquid supply source through the chamber lto the exterior of the casing to provide a flow of the mixture, or whereby in another passageways of the other group register to provide a passageway for the unmixed liquid between the tubular member and casing to provide a flow of the unmixed liquid.

8. A liquid discharging device including a tubular casing formed at one end for attachment to a liquid supply and having an opening at the other end, a tubular member inside said casing and provided on its interior with a chamber for receiving active material to closure member engaging the open end of said casing and provided with a plurality of apertures, and means adjacent the closure member and engaging the tubular member and provided with a plurality of sets of passageways, one set communicating with the chamber of the inner tubular member and another set communicating with the space between the inner tubular member and said casing, said apertures and passageways in said closure member and vmeans engaging said tubular member being arranged in angularly displaced groups whereby in one position of rotation of the closure member and means the\ group of passageways communicating with the chamber register with the corresponding group of apertures to provide communication from the chamber to the outside of said tubular casing to provide a. passageway from the liquid supply source through the chamber to the exterior of the casing to provide aflow of the mixture, or whereby in another position the apertures and passageways of the other group register to provide a passageway for the unmixed liquid between the tubular member and casing to provide a flow of the unmixed liquid, and a lever mechanism supported on the exterior of said casing and operatively associated with the apertured closure member for rotating said apertured closure member.

9. A liquid discharging device including a tubular casing formed at one end for attachment to a liquid supply and having an opening at the other end, a tubular member inside said casing and provided on its interior with receiving active material to be mixed with the liquid, a closure member having a plurality of apertures engaging the open end of said casing and means engaging said tubular member and position the apertures and be mixed with the liquid, a ia chamber for` provided with a plurality of sets of passageways, one set communicating with the chamber in the inner tubular member, and another set communieating with the space between the inner tubular member and said casing, said apertures and said passageways being angularly displaced, said apertured member and saidV means havingrelative rotation for selectively positioning the passageways and apertures, whereby in one position a flow of liquid from the liquid supply will pass through the chamber of the inner tubular member, and in another position through ther space between the inner tubular member and the outercasing.

'10. A liquid discharging device adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply and having an outer tubular member and a rotatable closure member at one end of said tubular member, said closure member being provided with a plurality of groups of apertures angularly displaced, a first inner tubular member within said outer tubular member providing a chamber and a second tubular member surrounding said iirst inner tubular member for providing a second chamber around said first member, said tubular members being concentric, said chambers being adapted to receive active ingredients, a member closing the ends of said inner tubular members adjacent the closure member of the outer tubular member and having passageways extending therethrough communicating with the chambers of said inner tubular members, and other passageways therein adjacent said rotatable closure member and extending radially for communicating with the space between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular members, said passageways and apertures being angularly displaced in groups, said rotatable closure member for the outer tubular member being rotatable through different angles to successively register able closure member with the corresponding passageways in the closure member for the inner tubular members, screens in said chambers for screening the apertures communicating with said chambers to prevent particles of the active ingredients from clogging said apertures.

11. A liquid discharging device including a tubular casing formed at 'one end for attachment Vfrom the chamber of the inner to a liquid supply and having an opening at the other end, a. tubular member inside said casing rand provided on its interior with a chamber for receiving active material, a closure member engaging the open end of said casing and having a plurality of sets of apertures, each set angularly displaced with respect to the other, and a closure member engaging said tubular member and provided with a plurality of sets of passageways, one set communicating with the chamber of the intheapertures in said rotat-4 side tubular member and another set with the' space between the tubular member and casing, said apertures and said passageways being arranged in angularly displaced groups, whereby in one position of rotation of said closure members, the groups of passageways communicating with the chamber register with the corresponding group of apertures to provide communication tubular member to the exterior of the casing, and in another position the passageways and apertures of the other group register to providev communication from the space between the inner tubular member and casing to the exteriorof said device.

HENRY WENKER. 

